Meeting in the Stars (Marston Chronicles Book 3)

by D Patrick Wagner

  “Ignite the demolitions, if you would, Mr. Anderson.”

  The entire bridge watched the not-so-bright explosion and destruction of their sister ship as it blew into small pieces, becoming more flotsam drifting within Bridgelen’s asteroid belt. Silence pervaded the room like a prayer as everyone honored the loss.

  “Back to it, people. We have a war to win. Mr. Anderson, the alien ship?”

  “On board, sir. Currently being tied down. And not a moment too soon, I might add.”

  “How so?”

  “The aliens are charging, sir. Full bore rush. All two hundred and eighty-five of them. I think we pissed them off, stealing one of their ships.”

  “Good. A pissed off enemy is a stupid enemy. I see our fleet is gone.”

  “Yes, sir. Withdrawal is complete.”

  “Take us home, Mr. Anderson. Let’s see how they like playing in our sandbox for a change.”

  Sasania Mountain Cave

  For two days First Sergeant Boulos, leader of the Sasania First Recon Patrol, drove his men to square away the cave and set up a permanent camp for his team. He pushed them hard, not letting them have time to think, to become despondent. For two days he forced them to focus on their tasks, not on the destruction of their world nor on their families and friends that they left behind in the Capitol.

  Noon of the second day found Lance Corporal Latif signaling that he was coming in, with friendlies. Lance Corporal Mahdi set the automated cannons to standby and viewed his multiple monitors as his sensors transmitted images and sounds of almost five hundred men lugging the remnants of their survivor base through the forest.

  Latif approached, verified the call sign and entered. Approaching his sergeant, the Corporal gave a comfortable salute and relaxed.

  “Nice trip, Latif?”

  “Walk in the park, Sarge.”

  “No hostiles?”

  “A few below the base. Nothing in between. What took most of the time was ducking the drones.”

  “They see you?”

  “From their patterns, not a peek, Sarge. I think we got here cleanly.”

  “I hope you’re right. This is our last stand.”

  “The Old Man figured the same. After he saw the inventory, I think he’s planning on digging in and sitting it out. Using everything for defense.”

  “We’ll see about that. I want to kill some bugs. Not just let them take over everything, rape our planet, eat our people. Yes, Commander Toma and I are going to have a talk.”

  Two hours later the advanced guard of the remaining Sasania Space Fleet Headquarters survivors crossed the Recon Patrol’s parameter. Mahdi watched his view screens as the lightly-loaded six-man team quartered the meadow and searched for any hostile presence, weapons to bear, scopes activated, red dots dancing over the flowers and brush. Three quarters of the way, the point man touched his throat mic and mumbled. Mahdi heard the sign and counter-signed. After a large arm-wave back to the forest, the point team rushed the cave’s mouth turned and took up guarding positions.

  Twelve more heavily armed Sasanian marines charged the meadow, established a parameter and dropped into the wild brush, their camouflaged fatigues successfully concealing them within the natural landscape. Four more marines raced down the center of the protected meadow, dashed through the mouth of the cave and came to a stop.

  “Commander.” First Sergeant Boulos slammed to attention and snapped a salute.

  “Sergeant. Where do we stand?”

  “Hunkering down, sir. We laid a sensor parameter, auto-cannons, set up watches and basically stayed within the cave. During that time, we’ve re-arranged the stockpile to accommodate our remaining force. We’ve also located a water source, an underground stream deeper in the cave complex. Finally, after extensive checking, we’ve established that the inventory sheets are correct, sir.”

  “Well done. Drone tracking?”

  “Like clockwork, sir. We have multiple windows of opportunity. Approximately one hundred minutes for entrance and egress. Each flyby lasts approximately fourteen minutes. We’ve been keeping a safety factor of twenty minutes.”

  “Let’s put a sensor on the crown of this mountain, try to catch their approaches sooner. The next wave of incoming personnel will be bringing lieutenant Ashid’s equipment. Set him up next to Mr. Mahdi’s.”

  “Roger that, commander.” Sergeant Boulos immediately saluted, turned and chased down the marines needed to follow his Commander’s orders.

  “Mr. Kassis, please inform the next ten to immediately cross and begin setting up Mr. Ashid’s monitoring equipment.”

  “Sir, yes, sir.”

  Sergeant Boulos and Corpsman Faheem watched the goings-on as the rest of the recon team hiked to the mountain’s peak, set up a well-concealed sensor array and scrambled back down. As the team descended, Mahdi spooled out a hard-wire connection, insuring that no errant radio signals could be intercepted and tracked. Once the five men reached the cave, they waited while Sensor Specialist Ashid completed hooking up and testing his equipment.

  Three more groups succeeded in crossing the field before the anticipated alien drone ran its maneuvers over their grounds. While it performed its search, everyone hunkered down, hid their faces and waited the allotted twenty minutes. Like clockwork, at the twelve minute mark, the droned moved on. Everyone remained still for the final eight minutes then continued their advancing to the cave, setting up living spaces and settling in.

  It took beyond midnight for the remaining survivors to filter into the cave. it took until beyond sunrise to get their living arrangements squared away. The morning light shined only on an empty field and a forest filled with the normal sounds which a forest makes.

  “Captain Qureshi, have you reviewed the weapons inventory?”

  The makeshift conference tent sat to one side of the giant cave system, hidden behind stacks of crates.

  “Yes, Commander. It’s quite extensive. A lot of it is many years old, but, if it’s been maintained, quite usable.”

  “Where do we stand on mapping this cave system?”

  “I’m on that, Commander,” volunteered Lieutenant Ashid. “I’ve set all of our drones loose. They’re currently mapping and collecting data on all of the passageways leading into the mountain. I should have a full three-dimensional presentation for you by this evening.”

  “Make that tomorrow afternoon. We need to rest. I want everyone sharp at thirteen hundred. We have a lot of planning to do.”

  The next morning found the approximately five hundred survivors organizing their personal space and equipment for a long stay. Upon completion, the five hundred began wandering through the large cache of weapons and supplies, surprised by the quantity, quality and state of readiness. Not only did they discover small arms weapons such as hand guns and rifles, but they also found shoulder-mounted rocket launchers, bazookas and grenade launchers.

  A whole section of the cave contained ground-based weaponry. Many of the survivors swarmed around cannons, massive Gatling guns, small hover craft covered in armor and mounted with various weapons.

  Others found thousands of crates containing preserved food stuffs, camp gear and personal equipment.

  Just wandering the immense cave system raised the hopes of the last survivors of the Federacy Fleet Headquarters.

  Thirteen hundred hours arrived. The Commander Toma, his three remaining officers and First Sergeant Boulos sat around the conference table in the command tent.

  “Mr. Ashid. Our cave?”

  “Actually a cave complex. Huge. We have almost ten kilometers of passageways with three main caverns and seven more minor ones. Someone dug this complex. It’s like a bomb shelter.”

  “What do you mean, dug?”

  “This cave is the only natural cave. From studying drone videos, you can see that the lower caverns are uniform. Almost perfect domes. The walls are smooth. Same with the passageways. Except for the cave we’re sitting in, everything else is man-made.”

  �
�Doesn’t make sense. There’s no record of anything like that happening on Sasania. Sergeant Boulos. What did your malcontent say? Does he know anything?”

  “Nothing. While you were bringing up H.Q., we did some quick peeks and saw the smooth tunnels. But we didn’t go any farther.” The Sergeant knew that the commander knew who his source was. So he didn’t hesitate to speak the revolutionary’s name. “Private Ajam didn’t say anything. He didn’t know who dug these tunnels and caverns.

  “Maybe it wasn’t us,” Lieutenant Kassis commented.”

  “Then who? We’re the first settlers of Sasania.”

  “The first human settlers. What if these caves had been dug by the ancient civilization. We keep finding remnants of them all over our star systems. Maybe they dug this complex.”

  “Why would they do that?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe the same reason that we’re here. Defense. No one knows why they’re gone, why they just packed up and left. Maybe they were fighting something and lost. Had to run. Just like us.”

  “Keep that thought. We’re getting off track. Captain Qureshi. Where do we stand with material and supplies?”

  “More than enough. Supplies? A year, at least. Equipment and weapons? Enough for everyone to arm up. I’d say we could hold of a siege for at least six months. Unless the aliens decide to bomb us into oblivion. But even that would be hard. As Mr. Ashid pointed out, this cave system is extensive and deep.”

  So, what you and Mr. Ashid are saying is that, thanks to the wannabe revolutionaries and the alien cave diggers, we can survive for a year.”

  Everyone looked at each other. Then Captain Qureshi spoke for the group. “Yes, commander. We have a new, secure base of operations.’

  “Then that is what we will do. We dig in. we fortify. We wait. The Federacy will come. We’ll be ready.”

  “But, Commander.”

  “Yes, Sergeant?”

  “The people. You didn’t see it out there. We need to do something.”

  “I saw your intel. Your videos, Sergeant.”

  “At least take out the domes. Stop those bugs from breeding.”

  “No, Sergeant. Think big picture. We wait. That’s my decision. We wait.”

  “But, Commander.”

  “No, Sergeant. We dig in. that’s enough.”

  “Sir,” an inwardly seething First Sergeant responded.

  Oishi Scout Team

  “Don’t those bugs ever quit?” Juro sighed as the two invisible Nightshades took a quick break. “It’s been three days.”

  “We trained for this, Mappai.”

  “Well, it’s getting old.”

  “You’re right. And we’re running out of trees. We need to get those trackers off our tail. Lay the rest of your snuffers here. We’ll take the high ground and set them off remotely. Maybe that will shut down their hunting bug. It’s seemed to figure out how to avoid the automatic ones.

  “Hai, Shuhan.” A weary Juro, pulled his last five snuffers and rotated a dial on each. Setting four of them in a box shape, he placed the fifth one in the center.

  Studying his work, Juro saw that his box covered the entire path. The alien trackers would need to either take a different route or walk into his trap. With a prideful note, he announced, “Finished.”

  “We’ll take that overlook.” Taketa pointed to a raised knoll just beyond the forest’s edge. “Good sight lines.”

  Still wearing his obscuration shoes, he shuffled his way towards the destination, secure in the knowledge that his invisible Mappai followed. Reaching the ridgeline, both dropped their packs, pulled their rifles, set the bipods and waited.

  The alien tracking team approached cautiously. The sniffer crawled on all six of its limbs, the bullet-shaped snout close to the ground. The five armed trackers followed. Taketa and Juro waited. The sniffer reached the edge of Juro’s box. It paused, lapping its pink, cylindrical tongue in the air, sensing the breeze. The two Nightshades continued to wait. Their bane finally entered the box. Juro pushed the button.

  The covering dirt exploded into the air, accompanied by the acidic particles of five snuffers. The resultant caustic cloud engulfed the creature. It shrieked an otherworldly scream and frantically used its front manipulators to try and brush off the burning dust.

  Taketa shot it. Juro began his firing run. He dropped two trackers. By then Taketa had re-aimed and fired again. Three trackers and one sniffer down. Two left. The alien hunters started firing wildly at the ridge, attempting to backtrack. Both of the Nightshades re-sighted and fired. The last two insectoids died.

  “Move. Drones will come. The next squad won’t be so lax.”

  “Hai, Shuhan.”

  The two invisible Nightshades shuffled their quick pace across the open plains, towards the security of the next mountain range.

  Tolimar

  Mrs. Grey, quit fussing. It’s all good.”

  “Don’t be so stubborn, Mr. Roth. I’m just doing my job.” Gregor’s IT genius stared at her personal tablet, reading the results of her work.

  “Just because you unbricked my computer, gave me back my enhancements, that doesn’t mean that I’m your lab rat.”

  “We need to make sure you are right, Mr. Roth. At last count, we have more than a hundred and fifty thousand enhanced individuals. I have to get this right.”

  “I’m right, Mrs. Grey. I used this gear for eight years. I can tell.”

  “I want to put you through a full range of tests, keep monitoring your computer and hardware.”

  Randy gave her his best forlorn sigh. “Ok, Ma’am. I see I’m going to lose this argument. Monitor away.”

  The chemicals. How are they?”

  “Working. I’m fine, Mrs. Grey. Really.”

  Just then Lawrence Gregor and his daughter walked up. “How’s our lab rat?”

  Randy glared at Harriet. Harriet laughed.

  “Lab rat. That’s cold, real cold.”

  “Oh, sir, you wound me,” Harriet, in her best damsel voice, responded.

  “So, Harriet. How’s our town?”

  “Ready for occupancy, Father.”

  “Good. Start bringing the people in.”

  “I’ve already begun. We can have people starting to arrive tomorrow.”

  “That’s my girl. Randy, you’re used to managing lots of people moving around. Well, cattle. Could you give Harriet a hand? Maybe help the people settle in?”

  Randy looked at Harriet. She smiled. “Of course, Mr. Gregor.”

  “Then I’ll leave you two to it. Oh, and think of a name for our town. In the meantime, I need to get back to Erstadt. It seems that the esteemed Vice-Admiral Weiskoff has blessed us with his presence. Mrs. Grey, if you could tear yourself away from your latest project, I believe the board is assembling to meet our protector.”

  With a final look at his daughter and her love-interest, Gregor and Mrs. Grey climbed into his land vehicle and headed towards the largest town on Tolimar.

  Two hours later Gregor pulled to a stop in front of Shar’s bar and de facto government meeting place. Upon entering he saw that he and Mrs. Grey were the last to arrive. As the current Chairman of the board, Governor Kaufman sat at the head of the table. Mrs. Brandt, Mr. Burkhardt and the Senior Roth sat on the Governor’s left. Gregor’s men, Thomas and Blandini took his right. Mrs Grey hustled to her seat at her computer station while Gregor strolled to the bar, taking up position by Shar.

  Vice-Admiral Weiskoff sat at the foot of the table, a witness under the scrutiny of his accusers. He launched the first attack.

  “What is going on here? You do not have the authority to consume Federacy resources, use its transports, relocate thousands of people.”

  Richelle Brandt, owner of Brandt Minerals, fired back. “We’re a long way from the Federacy boot, Admiral. And we sure as Hell aren’t Federacy’s serfs. We are a free people. All these resources, all these transports are privately owned. And these thousands of people have free will. They can do what they damn
well please.”

  “No they can’t. We’re at war.”

  “We’re aware of that, Admiral Weiskoff. That is why we are doing all this.” Governor Kaufman waved his hand as though he was presenting something of importance.

  “And you, Gregor.” Weiskoff pointed a finger at the richest quasi-legal businessman in Humanity’s star systems.

  “Where did you get the information about the aliens? I know it was you.”

  “No denying that, Admiral. It was me. How I got it, as they used to say on Old Earth, I plead the fifth.”

  “That’s not good enough.”

  “It has to be. And it’s beside the point.” Kevin Roth came to Gregor’s defense. “The aliens are swarming through our systems. From what we’ve heard, they’re in Bridgelen. They have access to everywhere.”

  “And you’re here, Admiral. Not in Cencore. Why?” Burkhardt posed the question.

  “I think you got run off. Or the Federacy sent you to whip us into line. Which is it, Admiral?” The tough-as-nails Mrs. Brandt kept pushing.

  “Where are you getting your intel?” Weiskoff almost shouted.

  “That’s not the question, Admiral. The real question is, what are you doing here?”

  “Look, I represent the Federacy. I am the military arm of our Government.”

  “Yes, you are, Admiral. On that, we all agree. So, what is the military arm of the Federacy Government going to do to protect us from the alien invasion?”

  During the course of the exchange, Gregor’s people sat quietly, following their leader’s example of letting Tolimar lead the discussion.

  “If I may, Admiral Weiskoff?”

  “What, Mr. Gregor?” Weiskoff’s question dripped with sarcasm and denigration.

  Ignoring the vice-admiral’s tone, Gregor continued. “Governor Moreno sent us videos of some flybys of your ship. There’s damage. Also, from your conversation with Shelley, he thinks that you are under-armed, short of munitions. Is that right?”

  “Not your concern.”

  “But it is. You have the most powerful ship the Federacy has ever built. Tolimar has the means to repair it. Mr. Roth. Could you re-purpose your foundry for munitions?”